Time for rest of Spurs squad to shine with Harry Kane injured

ERIC Dier believes that the loss of Harry Kane will give other players in the Tottenham squad the chance to shine – and is calling for a “real team effort” to help cope with the loss of their star striker.

Kane is facing a race to be fit in time for the semi-final showdown against London rivals Chelsea after damaging ankle ligaments for the second time this season just seven minutes into Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Millwall.

Spurs say the injury is “not as severe” as the one that sidelined Kane for seven weeks earlier this season and so there is every chance he will be back in action in time to face the Blues.

Speaking of goal scorers Vincent Janssen and Heung-Min Son, who both helped Tottenham dismantle the Lions 6-0 at White Hart Lane, Dier said: “Can they fill the void? I hope so. They proved that they can against Millwall. Hopefully everyone can pull their weight and we’ll keep going forward. “There aren’t many players in the world you can replace Harry with, but it is a chance for someone else to step up. Not just strikers but the whole team.”

With Spurs and Arsenal being kept apart in Monday’s draw, an epic cup final between the rivals is still on the cards.

The Gunners, who were paired with Manchester City in their semi-final, are looking to win the FA Cup for the third time in four years.

Aaron Ramsey says it’s “a big boost” to be returning to the national stadium after disappointments in Europe this season.

“We’re just delighted that we’ve got another trip to Wembley,” said the Wales midfielder. “We’re disappointed to be out of the Champions League but I love the FA Cup and it’s a big boost for us. “Hopefully we can have something to look forward to by getting to the final.”

Arsenal booked their place in the final four by beating non-league Lincoln City 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and manager Arsene Wenger says the confidence is now back in his team. “There was always a level of anxiety because Lincoln are unpredictable,” said Wenger. “They knocked out Burnley, Ipswich and Brighton, so we have to respect them. You have to congratulate Lincoln for what they have achieved. We have been short of confidence after some disappointing results recently. When the confidence was there in the second half the quality came back.”